This book isn’t the flinch-free, uplifting Christian review you usually see here. That is why I have it under “Alone With Judy’s Brain.” I wasn’t going to add it and shock your sensitivities, but re-thought that decision in the view of recent news where people were abused to their great pain and even death in real life ‘church’ situations. These are not CHRISTIAN environments, in the opinion of Judy’s brain, but are violent, tyrannizing cults.

Ava Norwood’s characters are caught up in the tangles of life in one of these organizations. Their dark tyranny has kept the protagonist, Annabeth wound up in a stifling cocoon of self-blame and overwhelming ignorance. The book tells a tale of a woman who has little basis for relationship building so that even the liaison that would seem to be her deliverance from life long abuse at the hands of parents, leadership and husband is not a healthy connection. She is used as she offers her tenderest love.

This book is not for the younger reader and may offend the ‘clean’ guidelines of some readers. Ava Norwood writes well and I recommend if the explicit parts of the book bother you, just skip them while remembering that there is little ‘flinch free’ experience in the true life of the abused person. If you see something , say something. The best way to stop abuse is to tattle, tattle, tattle! Cast the light of day on the creeps!

I have not reviewed movies before, but the recent release of a movie reflecting the experiences of Chris Kyle, Navy Seal during the Iraq conflict, has led to this review.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, I had heard excellent reviews of a ‘sleeper film’ from a local movie critic Chris Louzader who reviews films for listeners in the Springfield, Missouri area.

I am not a good news junkie, so I have to confess I didn’t know much about this story when friends invited us to join them at a local theater where the movie was showing. I hadn’t read any of several books available about Kyle’s experiences.

I, along with others in the theater last night, found the movie to be appealing to our patriotic tendencies. The film is well directed without undue sensationalism. This is a WAR movie, so the language and many frames are not ‘flinch free’. However, I support the people who take on the military tasks to promote and defend democracy and am willing to let them have some leeway. Our military people endure an incredible amount of personal risk in combat while they and their families endure even more from separation and from anxiety when their soldier comes home wounded physically and wounded of the spirit. American Sniper shows these conditions. In support of their bravery and spirit, I recommend the movie.

To be fair, Eastwood showed ‘life’ and sensitivity of the people who are on the opposing side — they bleed and die unwillingly for their cause.

If you disagree, that is your privilege. This is my post and my website which can be a soapbox for my thoughts. Live with it and go in peace.

Contemplating “What inspires me.”, Marian Baay went on to share the inspiration she gathers for her soul when spending time by the sea in her Holland home. I’ve never seen that sea. The ‘biggest’ water I’ve ever been near was the Florida Gulf coast around Tampa.

I hope that you will read Marian’s blog and see the images she has of the sea and the wildflowers. Grasses, trees, wild flowers and the flowers in my garden give me some of the inspirational moments that I find. Walking by the hay field, at peace, let me see the first, spiraling, slender lady tresses I had ever found. They seemed to have no leaves…rather like the surprise lilies that pop up in the flower beds near the house.

I can fixate on the intricacies of the flowers and just drift off into the deep thought place where I can hear. As Marian points out, at these moments and in these special places, we do hear the things we’re really supposed to hear. Be willing to tap into the inspirational moments and note what the spirit is saying to us keeps us from wandering down useless trails. Instead we are basking in a fulfilling guidance which we enjoy and know that those we serve will benefit with us.

Gladys Quintal is a survivor. As a paranormal romance author living in Australia, she has used the vampire story genre as a therapy to wage war against her experiences. Gladys came to my attention on Facebook — isn’t the Internet wonderful. Without social media, we would never have ‘met’ and Gladys’ statement that there is Life After Hell wouldn’t have made it to the pages of Cardinal Bluff.

Gladys wakes up every day to a reality she has determined to live and she refuses to be further victimized by circumstances she cannot change. The link goes to the book — I suggest you read, be inspired and support a brave woman.

From 1976-1982, I was the victim of sexual abuse. My abuser (who was a paedophile, rapist and killer of animals) was sentenced to seven years in prison on the 25th February 2013 – a full 30 years after the fact. I flew to New Zealand on the 25th of February 2013 to witness the sentencing of my rapist – a journey toward justice 30 years in the making. His conviction and inclusion on the sex offender registry was a victory like no other.

I want to emphasize the all-important message that you do not have to put up with abuse. Children are so easily manipulated and coerced by adults. They are so easily silenced and paralysed by threats, especially threats of violence against loved ones or beloved pets. They are the perfect victims – naïve, gullible, terrified and defenceless. Therefore, we must protect our children and make sure we are leaving them in the care of people we absolutely trust.

Yet abuse happens all too frequently around the world, and children need to tell someone – anyone – other than the parent or caregiver who is the abuser. A teacher, priest, neighbour, a policeman… no matter the manner in which your abuser has threatened or intimidated you, there is someone out there who will and can help, if you only take that first step and ask. In cases of paedophilia, nine times out of ten the victim knows the abuser, who is often a family member or close friend. Parents need to be more vigilant and watch for the signs of abuse, for paedophiles operate within a sick and clever mentality of their own, brilliantly disguising their actions, shifting blame, and twisting the facts. Simply put, children do not stand a chance against a determined paedophile. I certainly didn’t.

Whenever the bad stuff would happen, I would zone out and try and pretend it was happening to someone else. I was determined not to let him break me – not to let him drive me insane and in the back of my mind I kept telling myself that one day I would be old enough to leave and start a life for myself. I would be in control then and never let anything like this happen ever again. I always believed that I would have a better life than the horror I was living and fought to survive long enough to make it through to that time.

I wrote this book to inform abuse survivors that they are not alone, and that they are worthy, and that they can seek justice. Yes, justice can be dispensed many, many years after the crime has been committed. It may not be for everyone, and I will not lie and say it is an easy road. It requires years of emotional investment and takes toll on you and your loved ones. But it can be done. The closure it has given me to see “him” behind bars is amazing. I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I have been shown to be worthy — at last.The sentencing of my rapist was a vindication and also gave me some small sense of consolation. I know that at least for the next few years, other children will be safe from a monstrous paedophile – something that caused me many sleepless nights over the past 30 years. Can you imagine the lingering horror of wondering what “new” child he was abusing at any given time, and not being able to do a damn thing to stop him? I wanted to get him off the streets, away from children, and registered as a sex offender. After many years, I have achieved that.

Also, writing a journal is extremely therapeutic. In fact, this is how the book began. Rather than keep it bottled up inside, push aside your feeling of shame and talk about the abuse. Share your story with anyone who wants to listen, because getting it out there and not hiding it away is the key. It need not be a dark little secret. Tell the world, which is what I am doing here. It gets the burden off your shoulders and may just help someone else in the process. The truth is, the more people who talk about it, the less victims there will be.

Even after everything I went through as a child, I am a happy and well adjusted adult, thank God. I am in love with the man of my dreams, have four beautiful children, and many wonderful friends. I have already reached a lot of the goals that I set for myself – getting my stepfather convicted for rape being at the top of my list. I had always wanted to write books and have done that now too. I enjoy writing and have written a series of Paranormal Romance books in The Dream Series, about a vigilante vampire that kills rapists and child molesters….

I also wrote this book and a short story about my health. I have fought to get my health problems sorted and not just let doctors fob me off like they have tried to do for years. I never want to be a doormat like my mother; I want to take control of my own fate and fight to be in charge of my own life. I now have a very good and happy life, a life where I am in control of my own destiny. The life I always knew was out there waiting for me, if I could just escape the horrors of home.

Emalyn’s Treasure will be opening the new Blue Heaven series of stories from Helping Hands Press that are inspiring romance in various lengths; Emalyn’s Treasure is novella length. Emalyn’s Treasure will release on August 1, 2013!

I visit frequently with the author, Joy Ross Davis and was thrilled to be included in a weekend project of designing a cover for Emalyn’s Treasure. Joy has agreed to answer some of my questions about this unusual story with a sweet Irish setting.**

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Cardinal Bluff: Is your newest release set in ancient times as so many Irish tales are?

Joy: “No, the time is more modern; 1938 with flashbacks to earlier years. This was a time of development, expansion and resistance to change in Ireland which gives the basis for the story. ”

Cardinal Bluff: Did you do extensive research for your book to get the timing and developments down?

Joy: “Yes. There were some things that I didn’t expect such as kitchen appliances that were available to the people along with progress in public services such as good, plentiful water. Some of the public service development meant costs to land and home owners; not one wants more expense and some just don’t want change which contributed to the resistance. That resistance is one of the dramatic backdrops for the story. ”

Cardinal Bluff: Are there any angels in your book? (wink, wink)

Joy: “Winking back atcha! Of course there are angels! Some are more subtle than others, but they are a necessary element of the story”.

Cardinal Bluff: The stories are billed as inspiring romance. Is there a strong religious aspect to your story?

Joy: “I wouldn’t call the inspiring aspect religious. The angels are necessary and they represent God’s power, but the purpose of the story is to inspire and warm the reader’s faith in many things. Faith in God, themselves, the impact and power of love in both romance and family…many things. The enduring love of the primary characters carries the story through all the dramatic scenarios. There are, of course, some bad guys, but they are not where the true power lies; that is with the GOOD guys and their protecting guardian angels. My writing wants to deliver a story that is as long as it takes which will give the reader a pleasing and uplifting experience — glad to have read it and perhaps re-read it, most certainly share the story with others. Shock and awe work for some writers, but I have a different style that some have called ‘gentle’ and ‘encouraging’.

To speak to your first comment, I can only vouch for Emalyn’s Treasure, but I trust the reputations of the other authors and the publishers at Helping Hands Press to stay with the true focus of the Blue Heaven series — inspiring and romantic.”

**Gentle Disclaimer from Cardinal Bluff — These were rather loaded questions because I had the privilege of being a ‘trusted reader’ for nearly the final draft of Emalyn’s Treasure. Having read it, I can recommend yet another Joy Ross Davis story that is highly descriptive with a dominant theme that carries through the varied scenes. The deep and abiding love that these characters have for one another and the patience some practice and others learn to practice reflect much of the human condition in any time.

I like the time setting for the story because it does add some different drama, preventing an opportunity to fall asleep. You may have read inspiring before. You may have read romantic before. You may have read strong, enduring, valuing love before. But, you haven’t read all of those in this setting — there is a good chance you’ve never even thought about this time in Ireland, even one little bit.

Emalyn’s Treasure will be availabe online this week and more stories in the Blue Heaven series will be following. You can tell from the graphic there are some GOOD writers involved in Blue Heaven.

Joy Ross Davis will be joining Gio Gelati at the Gelatis Scoop G-Zoneon August 8, 2013. That is a Thursday and I suspect the time will be at 5:00 EST to go with the Facebook Thirsty Thursday event at Helping Hands Press. Don’t miss this conversation at BlogTalk Radio and feel free to call in to visit with Joy. You can also listen to an archived conversationthat tells some interesting details about Emalyn’s Treasure.

[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”perspective-left” width=”250px” height=”” background_color=”#b9ccfc” border_width=”5″ border_color=”#38127f” ]Emalyn’s Treasure is now available in digital format. The book will be available in print after August 19, including a bonus book — Olivia’s Wedding[/dropshadowbox]